# XX explained — The Story of Ivy

> Chapter companion for The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

## What happens

The Home Secretary, Sir Edward Law, reviews new evidence in the Gretorex case, including Mrs. Huntley's statutory declaration and Ivy Lexton's love letters, leading to a postponement of execution and further investigation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

Ivy Lexton's perjury and hidden letters reveal deep deception, while the inspector realizes he was misled.

### Crime and Justice

The chapter focuses on the potential miscarriage of justice and the eleventh-hour review of evidence.

### Love and Obsession

Gretorex's love letter to Ivy reveals a sincere, obsessive passion, contrasting with Ivy's manipulative behavior.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Edward Law

The Home Secretary, reviewing new evidence and deciding to postpone execution.

### Sir Joseph Molloy

The advocate defending Gretorex, presenting new evidence to Sir Edward.

### Alfred Finch

Head clerk of Mr. Oram, providing key documents and insights.

### Mr. Justice Mayhew

The judge who tried the Lexton case, agreeing to further inquiries.

### Ivy Lexton

Revealed through her letters as a hypocritical and manipulative woman; under suspicion for poisoning her husband.

### Roger Gretorex

Condemned man whose execution is postponed due to new evidence suggesting his innocence.

## Key lines

> Murder, though it hath no tongue, will speak!

Even if a murder is committed in secret, the truth will eventually come out.

_Sir Joseph Molloy uses this quote to argue that new evidence will reveal Gretorex's innocence._

> This Mrs. Lexton appears to be, in any case, a most hypocritical and abandoned woman.

Mrs. Lexton seems to be a deceitful and morally corrupt person.

_Sir Edward Law's assessment after reading Ivy's letters._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters